Steam-trap



(No Model.)

,W. A. FOSKBTT.

STEAM TRAP.

Patented Jan. 20, 1885.

Ztl/@526er we Ji 627 ow/qe/ N. Pneus, Pnawunngnpw. wnshingwn. u. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT WILLIAM A. FOSKETT, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

STEAM-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent 1\o.311,113,dated January 20, 1885.

Arplication filed December 19 1832. (No model.)

useful Improvements in Steam-Traps, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing.

This invention consists in an improvement on the steam-trap for which Letters Patent of the United States were granted to myself and y Joseph R. Brown, July 7, 1874, No. 152,826.

The` drawing'represents a sectional view of a trap constructed according to my present improvements.

The object of this improvement is to provide va trap which is of simpler, and therefore cheaper, construction than that shown and described in the above-mentioned patent, and by means of which I secure all the advantages secured by such construction, and obtain better results than is obtained thereby, as will more fully appear hereinafter.

A represents the case, which is provided with an inlet-chamber, B, containing a perforated strainer, B', an outlet, C, through which the water may be drawn from the trap, when desired, for the examination or repair of the trap, or for any other reason, and with one closed end, D, and an open end, E, having flange F, as in the patent above referred to. In lieu, however, of constructing the open end E ofthe case A with a rib or rim, O, projecting within the case, and a hollow chamber, a, having outletf, and a flange, N, and the joints M, N, and O, as described in said patent, which construction has materially enhanced the cost of the manufacture of such traps, besides rendering the construction complicated and adding to the weight thereof by the unnecessary use of metal, and also increasing` the liability of the formation of incrustation thereon, I dispense with such hollow chamber a, and rib or rim and joint O, and outlet f, and provide the removable head or cap G, which is provided with adange, F', on the open end, with a hollow boss, I, which projects inwardly from said cap within the case A, and is interiorly screwthreaded to receive the screw-threaded end c of the valve-seat, which is of similar construction to that shown and described in thepatent referred to--that is to say, the tubular seat c has a boss or projection, d, to which is hinged at c a compression block or valve, K, of any suitable material capable of resisting` the destroying action of water or steam, and of a sufciently-elastic nature to Seal the valve-opening.

L represents the rod by means of which the compression block or valve K and the sphere or iioat M are connected together.

The operation of this steam-trap is as follows: When the same is connected with the drip or discharge pipe from a radiator, cylinder, or coil at B, the sphere or float, by its weight, keeps the valve closed and no steam can escape therethrough. As soon, however, as sufficient water has accumulated to lioat the sphere M, the valve will slightly open andthe water will fiow therethrough. It will be discharged through the tubular seat c, and so keep on flowing as long as the supply of condensed water is equal to the discharge. Should the supply increase, the water will accumulate and the sphere M will gradually rise, and thus increase the opening of the valve until the supply and discharge are equal. If, on the contrary, the supply diminishes, the sphere M will sink with the water, and the opening of the valve will be diminished until the supply and discharge are again equal. As long, therefore, as the condensation coutinues,the valve will remain partly open, which is of the highest importance,

as the valve will not wear as much as in the case with all steam-traps in which the valve opens when a certain quantity of water has collected and again closes when the sameis discharged. The valve, being when in operation surrounded by water, is also more durable, as it is not exposed to the cutting action of the steam or to sudden changes of temperature. All the water entering this steam trap is strained by the strainer at B', therefore no impurities can enter the case A and stop up or prevent the operation of the valve. The strainer can be easily removed through the opening closed by a plug, and can be cleaned and replaced without disturbing any connection orjoints.

Facility for inspection and repairs of the working parts of a steam-trap are of the greatest importance. In this steam-trap,when the water is drawn off, the bolts securing the head G to the case L can'be loosened, and it and the valve, valve-seat, and sphere or ioat M,

ICO

which are in this arrangement all connected together, may be removed, examined, or re paired and the whole again replaced without disturbing one of the pipes connecting the trap with the radiator, cylinder, or steamcoil.

I am aware that a steam-trap has been constructed with a removable head having an oritice through which a tubular valveseat is passed, and to the inner end of which is pivoted a valve operated by a chain and ball, and such I do not claim in this application. I am not, however7 aware of any trap which is provided with a removable head having an inwardly-extending hollow boss formed integrally therewith, and to which the valveseat is connected, and in which the valve and float are so connected with said removable head, as shown and described by me, that said parts are withdrawn from the case on the removal of the head.

I am aware that steam-traps have been constructed with removable top portions and with the sides, bottoms, and ends cast solid, and that a valve has been connected to one of said sides.

I am also aware that other traps have been made with a removable top and having a valve hinged to a seat attached to the stationary lower part ofthe trap; but in neither of these eases is the trap constructed with a removable head and having the valve connected thereto.

There is a decided advantage in constructing the trap with a removable head and in connecting the valve-seat and valve thereto, in that thereby the operative parts can be readily withdrawn from the case whenever desired and the interior of the case inspected and cleaned very readily.

In practice it has been found that the construction shown in the Brown and Foskett patent above referred to possesses several disad` vantages, which it is the aim of my present improvement to overcome-to wit. difficulty was experienced in making the packings N N and O O tight by drawing the same to seat with the same bolts, that it was a tedious and ditticult proceeding to turn both facesof the head whereonV the packing rested so that they would exactly match the seats turned in the trapshell, and on which they must pack and be tight. By dispensing with the chamber a shown in the Brown and Foskett patent I have 'been enabled to avoid all. the objectionable features in the construction covered thereby, as I have dispensed with the rims or ribs O, the inner plate or rim of said chamber, and the discharge-pil'ief, and the consequent labor in turning the joints, have effected a saving in the quantity of material employed, and eonsequentl y in ,the weight of the castings and in the cost of construction, and can readily secure a tight packing of the parts, which could not be accomplished under the construction shown iu thepatent above mentioned, eX- cept at the expenditure of eonsiderably-in creased time and labor.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In asteanrtrap, the case A, having closed end D and removable head G, said removable head having an in wardly-extending hollow boss, I, formed integrally therewith, valveseat connected with said boss I, compression block or valve K, pivoted to a projection or ot'tset from said seat, an d a tloat connected with said valve, whereby said valve-seat, valve, and float are attached to the removable head and rendered capable ot being withdrawn from the case by said'head G on its removal from the case, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

y 2. In asteam-trap, the case A, having closed end D and removable head G, a valve-seat connected to said removable head, avalve pivotally connected to said seat, and a `iloat connected with said valve, substantially as and l'or the purpose set forth.

ln testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence ot two witnesses.

WILLIAM A. FOSKETT.

YWitnesses:

M. P. DWYER, Gno. H. BnncHER. 

